OVERVIEW

The burial ground liaisons, Wendy Kane and Sharon Hulihan, have systematically recorded and photographed burials, researched persons buried in the cemetery, and submitted this information to Find a Grave.

CEMETERY LAYOUT

The Newtown Friends Meeting Cemetery is laid out in 4 sections. 614 burials have been identified, with 34 being veterans, 9 conscientious objectors, and 57 children.

The first burial in the cemetery was in 1820, when (1) Section 1 East was opened. This section is laid out in 9 rows, with about 39 plots per row. It has the fewest headstones. (2) Section 1 West was established in 1861. The layout for this section was changed from rows to lots, with lots assigned to families at no cost to them. Plots are still available in this section. (3) Section 2, established in 1932, also is laid out in lots. The meeting began charging for plots in 1955. (4) The newest section, Section 3, was established in 1983. It is the only urns-only section. Flat headstones are required but enforcement has been inconsistent. This section has the most availability.

CEMETERY RECORDS

Record keeping was always by volunteers, and each volunteer kept records in their own way.

Wendy Kane and Sharon Hulihan, the burial ground liaisons, have organized the records and created an online data base. They have researched extensively records for information on the persons buried in the cemetery. Additionally, they maintain the headstones, using D2 for cleaning.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This summary is derived from the 2024 video, "Digging into the Graveyard at Newtown Meeting," Bucks Quakers. The video has a transcript available while viewing. Wendy Kane and Sharon Hulihan, the meeting's burial ground liaisons, give the presentation about their work in organizing the cemetery records, researching burials, maintaining the cemetery, and persons significant in the area's Quaker history.